Automobile-heating system



W. M. FULTON. AUTOMOBILE HEATING SYSTEM. APPLlcAnoN FILED Amal. 1916.

Patented Nov. 16, 1920.

IIII

vtrol ferred to wherein the thermosensitive means UNITEDl STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WESTON IVI. FULTON, O KNOXVILL-E, TENNESSEE, ASSIGNOR TO THE FULTON COM- PANY, OF KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE, A CORPORATION OF'MAIN'E.

i AUTOMOBILE-HEATING SYSTEM.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented N0V 16, 1920.

Appiieation sied August 31, 1916. serial No. 111,875.'

T 0 all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, WESTON M. FULTON, a citizen of the United States of America, and a resident of Knoxville, Tennessee, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Automobile-Heating Systems, which invention is fully set forth in the following` specification;

This invention relates to a heating system for vehicles, and is especially useful when applied `as a heating system for automobiles. l

An object f this invention is to provide a heating system that utilizes the exhaust gases of the engine as a heating medium, and to regulate the heating effect of Such medium by thermosensitive means. i A further object of this invention is to provide a heating system wherein the heating effect of the heating medium is reduced by the admission of air to the system, and also to regulate such admission preferably thermosensitive means. Yet another object of this invention is to provide an improved thermosensitive confor a heating system of the type remay also be adjusted to predetermine the ytemperature at which the said thermosensitive means assumes control of the means regulating the heating eect of the heating A medium.

Other objects relate to the' provision of a heating system for automobiles which is simple in construction, inexpensive to manufacture, easy to install, and efficient in operation.

Stated briefly, to the use of exhaust gases as a heating medium comprises, in combination with a radiator and a conduit for conducting the, exhaust gases of the engine from the main exhaust conduit to said radiator, means for regulating the heating effect of such gases, preferably comprising an air-intake for the admission of varying quantities of air to the laforesaid conduit to reduce the temperature of said exhaust gases, and means controlling the admission of said air, preferably thermosensitively controlled and shown as subjected 'to the temperature of the mixture of `gases and air in said conduit.

The invention is capable of receiving a variety of mechanical expressions, one of which, for the purpose of illustration, has

the invention when applied been shown on the accompanying drawing, but it is to be expressly understood that the drawing is for purposes of illustration only and is not to be construed as a definition of the limits of the invention, reference being had to the appended claims for that purpose..

The drawing represents somewhat diagiammatically an elevation of a heating system embodying the present invention, certain parts being shown in section.

Referring in detail to the drawing, l represents the main exhaust conduit for conducting the exhaust gases of the engine to any preferred form of muiiier. In the forni shown, a by-pass is provided for the exhaust gases, as by a coupling 2, and conduits 3 and 4, a radiator 5 being provided in said by-pass and a conduit 6 communieating with said radiator for conveying the gases to another radiator or radiators or for returning said gases to the' main conduit or the muffler. -The radiator 5 may be of any suitable form and positioned in any preferred part of the automobile, the illustrated embodiment comprising a footwarmer, but such being shown as a matter of convenience only and to be construed as typical of any radiator in any desired position in the automobile.

Means are provided for regulating the heating effect of the exhaust gases, such means, in accordance withnthe preferred embodiment of the invention, comprising means for admitting more or less air to the heating' system to reduce the temperature of the `exhaust gases when they rise in teinperature above a predetermined degree. In the form shown, the conduit 3 is provided at the end thereof with a nozzle 7 which delivers into the conduit 4. The latter conduit is enlarged, as shown at 8, where it surroundsthe nozzle 7 and is provided with a lateral tubular extension 9 to constitute an air-intake. The enlarged section 8, with its extensionI 9, may be connected with the nozzle 7 in any suitable way`as by the screwthreaded connection illustrated at 10, and such enlarged section 8 may be connected with the main portion of the conduit 4 by a second screwhreaded connection as illustrated at 1l. The nozzle may also be connected with the conduit 3 by a screw-threaded con- V'nection as illustrated at 12. The air-intake is preferably provided with a flaring mouth 2,0 l `Vcommunication Vwith thecontainer 16, is an 1 facing the normal direction of movement of the automobile, as illustrated at 13.

To regulate the admission of airv to the said air-intake, a valve member 14 is provided for controlling the inlet end of said extension 9, said valve being operable by a lever 15.

Thermosensitive means provided for controlling the lever 15 to regulate lthe admission of air to the gas-conveying conduit, and such thermosensitive means is preferably controlled by the temperature of the gases flowing through said conduit. In the form shown, conduit 4 is embraced by a container 16 charged with a volatile thermosensitive fluid. The container 16 may be lagged with any suitable heat-insulating material, as illustrated at 17 land the lagare preferably ging incased by a housing 18. Positioned upon the side of the housing 18, and in f expansible and collapsible corrugated metal vided with an inclosing y at 23.

vessel 19 having a movable end'wall 20 carrying an operating member21 bearing upon the lever 15. Said lever` 15 is shown as pivoted on a bracket 22 extending from the housing 18, `and the operating member 21 as shown has a pin and socket engagement with such lever. lThe expansible and collapsible vessel 19 may, if desired, be pro- Means are preferably provided for predetermining the initial temperature at which the th'ermosensitive means assumes control of termine the minimum temperature at'which said valve begins to open to admit air to the conduit. While any suitable means may be employed to this end, in the form shown movement of the lever 15 `by the operating member 2l is opposed'by a coiled spring 24 connectedat one end to the housing 18 and carrying at its opposite end a block 25 in screw-threaded engagement with an adjusting screw 26 carried by the lever 15. The block 25 may desirably (be provided with a pointer 27 to coperate with a scale 28 for 'indicating the adjustment of the spring. To control admission of the exhaust gases to the conduit leading` to the radiator, a hand-operated -valve 29 is shown as provided in the inlet portion of such conduitf The valve- 29 being open to admit the exhaust gases to the conduit 3, such gases rush through the nozzle 7 into the conduit 4 from which they flow through the radiator 5 and out throughthe conduit 6. 1f

,val/ve 14 be open sc 'that air may fiow casing, as illustrated the valve'member-14, thereby to predetemperature of the decreasing the resultant" v temperature of thev gases flowing through the conduit. So long as the exhaust gases are at a temperature below that predetermined as the proper temperature for the heating ofthe automobile, valve 14 remains closed. An increase of the temperature of' the gases in the conduit 4 tends to volatilize the fluid in the container 16 and to create a pressure which is transmitted to the movable end wall 20 of the vessel 19; but spring 24 will oppose and prevent movement of such end wall through its action upon the lever '15 until the pressure within the container 16 is sufficient to overcome the tension of the spring. Thereafter the valve 14 will open or close in response to variations of temperature in the conduit 4, maintaining the temperature of the gases fiowing through this conduit substantially uniform. The will begin to open maybe varied byadjustment of the spring 24, as above indicated.

While the illustrated embodiment has been described with considerable particularity, it is to be expressly understood that the invention is not to be restricted to the form shown as it is capable ofreceiving a variety of mechanical expressions, some of which willl readily suggest themselves vto those skilled in the art. Furthermore, certain features of the invention are capable of use without' other features thereof; therefore, the limits of the invention are to be determined by reference to the claims hereto appended. I l

l/Vhat is claimed is 1. A heating system for automobiles comprising a radiator, a conduit for conducting the exhaust gases of the engine to said radiator, an air-'intake communicating vwith said conduit for admitting air to said conduit to reduce the temperature of the gases flowling therethrough, and means for' controlling said intake.

2. A heating system for automobiles comthe exhaust gases of the ator, an air-intake communicating with said conduit for admitting air to said conduit to reduce the temperature of the gases flowing therethrough, and thermosensitive means for controlling said intake.

3. A heating Vsystem for automobiles comprising av radiator, a conduit for conducting the exhaust gases of the engine to said radiator, an air-mtake communicating with said conduit for admitting air to said conduit to reduce the temperature of the gases flowing therethrough, and means controlled by the gases flowing through said conduit for controlling said intake.

4. A 'heating system for vehicles comprising a radiator, a conduit .for conveying a heating fluid to said radiator, an`air-intake communicating with said conduit for admitting air to said` conduit to reduce the l temperature of the fluid flowing therethrough, and thermosensitive means for c011- trolling said intake.

6. A heating system for vehicles comprising a radiator, a conduit for conveying a heating fluid to said radiator, an air-intake communicating with said conduit for admitting air to said conduit to reduce the temperature( of the fluid flowing therethrough, and means controlled by the temperature of the fluid flowing through said .conduit for controlling said intake.

7. A heating system for automobiles comprising a radiator, a conduit for the exhaust gases of the engine provided with a nozzle, a conduit for conducting said gases to said radiator and into whichsaid nozzle delivers, an air-intake communicating with said lastnamed conduit for admitting air tosaid condui-t to reduce the temperature of the gases flowing therethrough, and a valve regulating the passage of air through said air-intake.

8. A heatingsystem for automobiles comy prising a radiator, a conduit for the exhaust gases of the engine provided with a nozzle,

a conduit for conducting said gases to said radiator and into which said nozzle delivers, an air-intakek communicating with said lastnamed conduit `for admitting air to said conduit to reduce the temperature of the gases flowing therethrough, -a valve regulating the .passage of air through said air-intake,

and thermosensitive means controlling said valve.

9. A heating system for automobiles comprising a radiator, a conduit for the exhaust v gases of the engine provided with a nozzle,

a conduit for conducting said gases to said radiator and into which said nozzle delivers, an air-intake communicating with said last-named conduit for admitting air to said conduit to reduce the temperature of the gases flowing therethrough, a valve regulating the passage of air through said airintake, and means controlled by the temperature of the gases flowing through said lastnamed conduit for controlling said valve.

10,. A heating system for automobiles comprising a radiator, a conduit for the exhaust gases of the engine provided with a nozzle, a conduit for conducting said gases to said radiator and into which said nozzle ing mouth and communicating with said lastliuid flowing there-A l comprising a flowing therethrough, and a valve regulating the passage of air through said airintake.

11. A heating system for automobiles comprising a radiator, a conduit for the exhaust gases of the engine provided with a nozzle, a conduit for conducting said gases to said radiator and into which said nozzle delivers, an air-intake provided witha flaring mouth and communicating with said last-named conduit for admitting air to said conduit to reduce the temperature of the gases flowing therethrough, a valve regulating the passage of air through said air-intake, and theremosensitive means controlling said valve.

12. A heating system for automobiles comprising a radiator, a conduit for conducting the exhaust gases of theengine to said radiator, means for regulating the heating effect of said exhaust gases, and thermosensitive means for controlling said last-named means.

13. A heating system for automobiles radiator, a conduit for conducting the exhaust gases of the engine to said radiator, means for regulating the heating effect of said exhaust gases, andmeans controlled by the temperature of the gases flowing through said conduit for controlling said last-named means. i

14. A heating system for automobiles comprising a radiator, a conduit for conducting the exhaust gases of the engine to said radiator, a valve regulating the admission of air to said conduit to reduce the temperature of the air flowin therethrough, thermosensitive means contro ling said valve, and means for predetermining the temperature at which said thermosensitive means begins to operate said valve.

15. A heating system for automobiles comprising a radiator, a conduit for conducting the exhaust gases of the engineto said radiator, means for regulating the heating effect of said exhaust gases, thermosensitive means controlling said regulating means, and means for predetermining the temperature at which said thermosensitive means assumes control of said regulating means. f

16. A heating system for automobiles comprisingI a radiator, 'a conduit for conducting the exhaust gases of the engine to said radiator, means `for regulating the heating effect of said exhaust gases, thermosensitive means controlling said regulating means, the temperature at which said thermosensitive means assumes control of said regulating means, said last-named means comprising a spring opposing movement of said and means for predetermining said radiator,

regulating means by said thermosensitive means, and means for adjusting the tension of said spring.

17. A heating system for alrtomobiles comprising a radiator, a conduit for conducting the exhaust gases of the engine to said radiator, means for lregulating the heating effect of said exhaust gases, and thermosensitive means controlling said regulating means, said' thermosensitive means comprising a container embracingsaid conduit and charged with a volatile fluid, and an expansible and collapsible vessel in communication with said container, said vessel having a movable end Wall responsive to pressure changes in said container and ,operatively related to said regulating means.

18. A heating system for automobiles comprising aradiator, a conduit for conducting the exhaust gases of the engine to an air-intake communicating With said conduit for admitting air to said conduit to reduce the temperature of the air flowing therethrough, a valve controlling v sion of said gases tol the passage of air through said air-intake, and thermosensitlve means controlling said valve, said thermosensitive means compris* ing a container embracing said conduit and lcharged with a volatile fluid, and an eX.- pa'nsble and collapsible vessel in communi-v cation With said container, said vesselhaving a movable end Wall responslve to pressure changes ino-said container and operatively related to said valve.

19. A heating system for automobiles comprising ga radiator, a conduit for 'conducting the exhaust gases of the engine to said radiator, means for controlling admissaid lconduit, means for controlling admission of air to said conduit to. reduce the temperature of the gases flowlng therethrough, and thermosensitive means controlling said last-named 21. A heating system for automobiles p comprisingv af radiator, a conduit for conducting the exhaust gases of the engine to said radiator, a valve for vcontrolling the gases in said conduit, and means controlled by the temperature of the gases flowing through said conduit for controlling said valve.

22. A heating system for automobiles comprising a radiator, a conduit for conducting the exhaust gases of theengine to said radiator, an air-intake communicating with said conduit `for conduit to reduce the temperature of the gases flowing therethrough, a valve controlling said air-intake, and thermosensitive means subjected tothe temperature of the mixture of exhaust gases and 'air for con-r trolling said valve.

In testimony whereof Il have signed this specification.

l WESTON M. FULTON.

admitting air to said 

